The race for the leadership of Uganda’s 12th Parliament has entered a decisive phase after the Office of the Clerk confirmed the date for the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
The election will be held days after the swearing-in of MPs, marking the first substantive business of the new House that will start off the next five years of the legislative arm of government.
The announcement of election date for the speaker and deputy speaker positions was made on the first day of swearing-in of newly elected MPs that will sit in the 12th parliament.
Peter Odeke from the Office of the Clerk to Parliament formally communicated the timeline, clarifying the sequence of events that will guide the transition into the new Parliament.
“After the swearing in of Members of Parliament, the first business shall be conducted on the 25th of May when [the MPs] shall elect their Speaker and Deputy Speaker,” said Odeke.
Incumbent Speaker Anita Annet Among is among those already sworn in and is seeking to retain her seat. Her bid comes at a time of heightened political activity, with several figures emerging to challenge her leadership in what is shaping up to be a competitive race.
Among the names linked to the Speaker’s contest are Norbert Mao, Lydia Wanyoto, and Persis Namuganza, all of whom are reportedly mobilising support within Parliament. Their potential candidacies add further weight to an already closely watched election.
The race for Speaker of Uganda’s 12th Parliament is shaping into a high-stakes contest, with incumbent Anita Among seeking to retain her position.
Among, who has presided over the 11th Parliament since 2022, enters the race with the advantage of incumbency but faces mounting political pressure and scrutiny, including fallout from recent controversies that have energised her opponents.
Among the challengers is Norbert Mao, the Democratic Party president, Laroo-Pece MP and outgoing justice and constitutional affairs minister, who has publicly expressed interest in the role. Mao’s bid signals an attempt to reposition himself at the centre of national politics, leveraging his long-standing experience and cross-party appeal to court support among MPs.
Also linked to the race is Lydia Wanyoto, a seasoned political figure and newly elected Mbale City Woman MP with strong ties within the ruling establishment. Her potential candidacy is seen as part of broader internal dynamics within the National Resistance Movement (NRM), where different factions are quietly positioning preferred candidates.
Another name that has emerged is Persis Namuganza, the Bukono County MP and State Minister for Lands, who has previously shown interest in parliamentary leadership roles. Namuganza’s entry adds to the competitive field, highlighting the fluid and evolving nature of the Speaker race as lobbying intensifies ahead of the vote.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Speaker race is also drawing significant attention, with incumbent Thomas Tayebwa seeking re-election. Tayebwa is widely viewed as a strong contender due to his current position and networks within Parliament, though he too faces the challenge of shifting political alliances.
Other potential contenders are emerging from within the ruling party and opposition ranks, with behind-the-scenes consultations ongoing as MPs weigh their options. The Deputy Speaker position, while often less publicly contested than the Speaker role, remains critical in shaping parliamentary business and balance of power.
As with the Speaker contest, the Deputy Speaker race is expected to be determined by intense lobbying and consensus-building within party structures, particularly the NRM caucus, which holds the numerical advantage in Parliament and is likely to play a decisive role in determining the final outcome.
The political dynamics surrounding the race have also drawn in influential actors outside Parliament. Recent developments involving Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba and the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), including shifting positions on preferred candidates, have injected fresh intrigue into both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker contests.
With the election date now set, attention is expected to turn to intense lobbying and coalition-building among MPs, as candidates seek to secure the majority support required to take charge of Parliament’s top leadership positions.
Meanwhile, the IGG has been petitioned to release Anita Among’s wealth declaration details after she acquired a multi-billion Rolls Royce, forcing Gen Muhoozi to withdraw his support for her. (See Details Here and There).
You can see the list of MPs of the 12th Parliament Here.
